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Nationwide pet ownership surveys portray that about 800,000 pet ferrets existed in the entire U.S.A in the year 1996, out of which 100,000 were illegally accounted for in California alone. So you can imagine the figure for 2009.

Compared to other companion mammals, ferrets were the 7th in large quantity behind, (in descending order) cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, hamsters, and guinea pigs but ahead of gerbils. Cats were 77 times and dogs 67 times more in number than ferrets.

The history of ferret’s domestication is vague like that of other animals. Approximately 2500 years ago, they were domesticated, and in some parts of the world even today, they are useful for hunting rabbits.

What games do ferrets play?

• They like to play mock combat, chase, tug-o’-war, hide and seek with each other and also with the owner.
• They like bouncing around on fluffy comforter, squash around from behind the book -cases and attack each other through the throw rugs and
• Explore new things and places, sniff new smells, dig and roll in the dust.

A majority of ferrets like human interaction well and gladly include their owner in their play. Initially it may take some time to learn their games, but after the owners learn the games, they will become familiar.

SWIPING FERRETS

The ferrets are by nature great at swiping the things and dragging them to their hiding places, which are quite inaccessible to us. The owners will have to protect their wallets and key bunches.

INDICATIONS OF PLAYFUL MOOD

If a ferret tugs the pants of the owner or jumps in front of him, the indication is that

he wants to play with the owner. An appropriate response from the owner is to kneel down on his hands and knees and chase him around. Alternately, the owner can dangle a washing cloth in front of him and start an interesting tugging game. If the fellow dances around – chucking, docking and bouncing off the walls, it means he is enjoying the game heartily.